Author Tanner Castora showcased his new book last Saturday with a book signing in the Student Union from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
It wasn’t just Castora sigining copies of “Stig and The Rise of South Dakota State Football.” Former SDSU head coach John Stiegelmeier (Stig) and former SDSU quarterback and two-time National Champion Mark Gronowski joined Castora.
The idea of the book first started when Castora worked for KELOLAND News and covered the SDSU football team. One day, two years before Stiegelmeier retired, Castora was talking to Stig and brought up the idea of a book. According to Stiegelmeier, he just laughed and said yes, thinking it was a joke. But when Castora officially reached out about the book, Stig said “I had to go with it.”
The book is a biography of coach Stiegelmeier while also offering an inside look on the SDSU football program as they worked their way up to become FCS champions. Castora conducted over 120 interviews and worked on the book for two years to get to this point.
This book is focused on the history of SDSU football. A big part of that history is winning back-to-back National Championships. Quarterback for those title runs, Mark Gronowski, also sat down to be interviewed for Castora’s book.
“When it’s something for Coach Stig, considering how much of an impact he made on my career and how much of an impact he made in just SDSU as a whole,” Gronowski said. “If it’s something for him, I’ll do anything.”
During the book signing, there was a constant line of Jackrabbit fans waiting to get their book and other items signed. Castora, Gronowski and Stiegelmeier were all thrilled about the excitement the book brought.
“It is one of the coolest feelings ever,” Castora said. “The fact that something I created, people are interested in.”
Gronowski reflected on how it feels to be back in Brookings for the book signing.
“It feels awesome … just to see everyone, see a bunch of old faces,” Gronowski said. “It’s a little bit surreal not being able to play here on Saturday and be able to watch the game from a different point of view, but I’m really excited to be back and it’s been a lot of fun so far.”
Stiegelmeier called the book an honor.
“It’s a reminder of how blessed I and our family were and how special South Dakota State is in so many people’s lives,” Stiegelmeier said.
Coach Stiegelmeier was also amazed and honored to have someone write this story about South Dakota State. “It’s kind of mind-boggling how hard he (Castora) worked,” Stig said. “And it really is our story, because the National Championship is just a small part of it.”
Stiegelmeier said the book will rekindle a memories for a lot of people.
Gronowski echoed some of the same sentiments on what this book has done for him.
“It’s really cool to see what Tanner wrote in this book, and it brings back all those emotions and memories you had during those times,” Gronowski said.
Castora gave his final thoughts on why he thinks people should buy this book.
“It’s a behind-the-curtains inside look at South Dakota State football and it’s something I thought was needed. I didn’t think there was any other book quite like this,” he said. “Coach Stig is a unique person. He’s an inspiring man and through him, a lot of inspiring people have come to South Dakota State. And I think anyone who reads this book will come away feeling the same.”
